Photosynthetic characteristics and nitrogen allocation in the black locust (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Robinia pseudoacacia</Emphasis> L.) grown in a FACE system

Key message

The black locust is adapted to elevated [CO ₂ ] through changes in nitrogen allocation characteristics in leaves.

Abstract

The black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) is an invasive woody legume within Japan. This prolific species has a high photosynthetic rate and growth rate, and undergoes symbiosis with N₂-fixing micro-organisms. To determine the effect of elevated CO₂ concentration [CO₂] on its photosynthetic characteristics, we studied the chlorophyll (Chl) and leaf nitrogen (N) content, and the leaf structure and N allocation patterns in the leaves and acetylene reduction activity after four growing seasons, in R. pseudoacacia. Our specimens were grown at ambient [CO₂] (370 μmol mol^?1) and at elevated [CO₂] (500 μmol mol^?1), using a free air CO₂ enrichment (FACE) system. Net photosynthetic rate at growth [CO₂] (A _growth) and acetylene reduction activity were significantly higher, but maximum carboxylation rate of RuBisCo (V _cmax), maximum rate of electron transport driving RUBP regeneration (J _max), net photosynthetic rate under enhanced CO₂ concentration and light saturation (A _max), the N concentration in leaf, and in leaf mass per unit area (LMA) and ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase oxygenase (RuBisCo) content were significantly lower grown at elevated [CO₂] than at ambient [CO₂]. We also found that RuBisCo/N were less at elevated [CO₂], whereas Chl/N increased significantly. Allocation characteristics from N in leaves to photosynthetic proteins, N_L (Light-harvesting complex: LHC, photosystem I and II: PSI and PSII) and other proteins also changed. When R. pseudoacacia was grown at elevated [CO₂], the N allocation to RuBisCo (N_R) decreased to a greater extent but N_L and N remaining increased relative to specimens grown at ambient [CO₂]. We suggest that N remobilization from RuBisCo is more efficient than from proteins of electron transport (N_E), and from N_L. These physiological responses of the black locust are significant as being an adaptation strategy to global environmental changes.

     

Coevolution of the S-locus genes SRK,SLG and SP11/SCR in Brassica oleracea and B. rapa

Brassica self-incompatibility (SI) is controlled by SLG and SRK expressed in the stigma and by SP11/SCR expressed in the anther. We determined the sequences of the S domains of 36 SRK alleles, 13 SLG alleles, and 14 SP11 alleles from Brassica oleracea and B. rapa. We found three S haplotypes lacking SLG genes in B. rapa, confirming that SLG is not essential for the SI recognition system. Together with reported sequences, the nucleotide diversities per synonymous and nonsynonymous site (pi(S) and pi(N)) at the SRK, SLG, and SP11 loci within B. oleracea were computed. The ratios of pi(N):pi(S) for SP11 and the hypervariable region of SRK were significantly >1, suggesting operation of diversifying selection to maintain the diversity of these regions. In the phylogenetic trees of 12 SP11 sequences and their linked SRK alleles, the tree topology was not significantly different between SP11 and SRK, suggesting a tight linkage of male and female SI determinants during the evolutionary course of these haplotypes. Genetic exchanges between SLG and SRK seem to be frequent; three such recent exchanges were detected. The evolution of S haplotypes and the effect of gene conversion on self-incompatibility are discussed.     

Persistence of caliciviruses in artificially contaminated oysters during depuration

The fate of calicivirus in oysters in a 10-day depuration was assessed. The norovirus gene was persistently detected from artificially contaminated oysters during the depuration, whereas feline calicivirus in oysters was promptly eliminated. The prolonged observation of norovirus in oysters implies the existence of a selective retention mechanism for norovirus within oysters.     

A combination effect of epigallocatechin gallate, a major compound of green tea catechins, with antibiotics on Helicobacter pylori growth in vitro

Since green tea catechins are known to have antimicrobial activity against a variety of microorganisms, their possible effects on Helicobacter pylori in combination with antibiotics were examined. Fifty-six clinical isolates of H. pylori, including 19 isolates highly resistant to metronidazole (MTZ) and/or clarithromycin (CLR), were used to determine in vitro sensitivity to tea catechins. The MIC90 of both epigallocatechin gallate (EGCg) and epicatechin gallate (ECg) was 100 microg/ml. However, other tea catechins tested did not show any anti-H. pylori activity. Highly antibiotic-resistant clinical isolates showed a similar sensitivity to both EGCg and ECg. The kinetic study of antibacterial activity in liquid cultures revealed a relatively slow but strong activity on the growth of H. pylori. In combination with sub-MIC of amoxicillin (AMX), the antibacterial activity of AMX was significantly enhanced by the presence of EGCg. To estimate the general combination effect between EGCg and other antibiotics, such as MTZ and CLR, on the antibacterial activity against clinical isolates, the fraction inhibitory concentration (FIC) was determined by checkerboard study. The FIC indexes showed additive effects between EGCg and antibiotics tested. These results indicatethat EGCg may be a valuable therapeutic agent against H. pylori infection.     

Unraveling Antimicrobial Resistance Genes and Phenotype Patterns among Enterococcus faecalis Isolated from Retail Chicken Products in Japan

Multidrug-resistant enterococci are considered crucial drivers for the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance determinants within and beyond a genus. These organisms may pass numerous resistance determinants to other harmful pathogens, whose multiple resistances would cause adverse consequences. Therefore, an understanding of the coexistence epidemiology of resistance genes is critical, but such information remains limited. In this study, our first objective was to determine the prevalence of principal resistance phenotypes and genes among Enterococcus faecalis isolated from retail chicken domestic products collected throughout Japan. Subsequent analysis of these data by using an additive Bayesian network (ABN) model revealed the co-appearance patterns of resistance genes and identified the associations between resistance genes and phenotypes. The common phenotypes observed among E. faecalis isolated from the domestic products were the resistances to oxytetracycline (58.4%), dihydrostreptomycin (50.4%), and erythromycin (37.2%), and the gene tet(L) was detected in 46.0% of the isolates. The ABN model identified statistically significant associations between tet(L) and erm(B), tet(L) and ant(6)-Ia, ant(6)-Ia and aph(3’)-IIIa, and aph(3’)-IIIa and erm(B), which indicated that a multiple-resistance profile of tetracycline, erythromycin, streptomycin, and kanamycin is systematic rather than random. Conversely, the presence of tet(O) was only negatively associated with that of erm(B) and tet(M), which suggested that in the presence of tet(O), the aforementioned multiple resistance is unlikely to be observed. Such heterogeneity in linkages among genes that confer the same phenotypic resistance highlights the importance of incorporating genetic information when investigating the risk factors for the spread of resistance. The epidemiological factors that underlie the persistence of systematic multiple-resistance patterns warrant further investigations with appropriate adjustments for ecological and bacteriological factors.